The hay bath
South Tyrol's most fragrant invention
True stories of beauty and wellbeing
Life in the South Tyrolean mountains was harsh. To ensure that there was enough feed for the cattle throughout the winter, every blade of grass was gathered from the alpine pastures and steep mountain slopes and brought down to the mountain huts. After the arduous work, the workers spent the night in the hayloft. Soon, the haymakers realised that sleeping there was particularly refreshing and that all their exhaustion was gone the next day.
Word spread quickly. Soon, the first visitors from outside the area arrived to ‘bathe in hay’. Servants even had their bathing holidays contractually guaranteed. This was because it was discovered that hay not only had a relaxing effect, but also seemed to have healing properties, for example for rheumatic complaints or arthrosis. People proudly showed off the walking sticks that guests left behind after their treatment.
Today, South Tyrolean mountain meadow hay is as good as it was back then. Only hay from natural high-altitude alpine meadows with a variety of alpine grasses and herbs (over 40 species per 50 square metres!) is allowed to bear this name. The hay is harvested with enormous effort, mostly by hand. Some photos show the Imest high alpine pastures (2,100 – 2,400 metres above sea level) in the rear Passeier Valley, where ‘our’ hay is harvested by farmer Franz. The mown and dried hay, containing over 40 different herbs and mountain flowers, is then transported down to the valley via the material cable car and then transported to the hotel in jute sacks by hotel manager Florian.
Relax for 20–30 minutes in warm, fragrant hay – the effect is impressive! Even if we leave aside the healing effects on the body,
the soul returns from the South Tyrolean hay bath completely renewed. This is due to the essential oils that rise through the nose directly into the oldest part of our brain. There, in the limbic system, feelings and memories are stored that we cannot access. Scents activate them, spreading a sense of well-being and lightness, the carefree feeling of a child's summer in the countryside... feel it for yourself!
